Designing a mobile learning framework for a formal educational context

Digiloikasta digitaitoihin : kansainvälinen monilukutaidon ja ohjelmoinnillisen ajattelun tutkimus (ICILS 2018)

Actual and Potential Pedagogical Use of Tablets in Schools

This study reviews the potential of tablet technology for teaching and learning. In autumn 2012, we conducted a focused survey comprising quantitative and qualitative questions with Finnish teachers (N = 171, from 54 schools). We focused on perceived pedagogical opportunities and the actualized pedagogical potential of tablets at schools. The survey results indicate that the actual usefulness of tablets in schools was significantly less than what teachers perceived as the pedagogical potential. However, the results demonstrate the positive impact these devices are having on teaching and learning, as well as prompting changes in pedagogical perspectives. Teachers stated that tablets can dive…

Enhancing Children’s Outdoor Learning Experiences with a Mobile Application

This paper examines how a mobile learning application can enhance children’s outdoor learning experiences. The study draws upon empirical evidence gathered in one case study conducted in a Finnish primary school setting in the fall of 2012. The data were collected with student and teacher surveys. The case study indicated that the mobile application provided children with tangible, motivating, and educative experiences. The mobile application also clearly encouraged social interaction. In addition, the case study highlighted the significance of pedagogy. Thus the appropriate way to utilize mobile applications in an educational context requires a balance in which the technology use is comple…

TPACK and Educational Interactions : Pillars of Successful Technology Integration

It is important to understand what drives the success of technology integration in educational settings, because learning in schools with technology develops the students' capacities to participate fully in the digital age. Educated students, in turn, can transform our societies through innovative scientific discoveries. Recently, the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) framework has emerged as a theoretical framework needed for understanding the teacher’s integration of digital technologies into teaching. Educational interactions, in turn, have been emphasized as a critical component of the educational practices, processes and contexts. However, these two concepts have been…

Teacher competencies in game-based pedagogy

This study examines what kind of competencies teachers need in using game-based pedagogy (GBP). In our conceptual framework, GBP entails four approaches: using educational games or entertainment games, learning by making games, and using gamification in learning. Our data, consisting of teachers’ documentation, thematic interviews and questionnaires, were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Four main competence areas were identified: pedagogical, technological, collaborative and creative. The results are applicable for developing teacher education and in-service training, as teacher competencies in game-based learning will be more integral to teachers’ professional knowledge and sk…

Teachers' attitudes, competencies, and readiness to adopt mobile learning approaches

This study explores how teachers' attitudes and competencies influence their willingness to adopt mobile learning approaches. By mobile learning we mean teaching approaches that use mobile devices to enliven and extend traditional teaching. Of particular interest is exploring how first-order (e.g. lack of adequate access, time, training and support) and secondorder (e.g. teacher's pedagogical and technological beliefs and willingness to change) barriers affect teachers' beliefs and attitudes. In the autumn of 2012, we conducted three mobile learning case studies in Central Finland. We used semistructured interviews to collect data. The study indicated that positive experiences raised teache…

Factors affecting Nigerian teacher educators’ technology integration : Considering characteristics, knowledge constructs, ICT practices and beliefs

To provide a diverse comprehension of teachers' TPACK (Technological, Pedagogical, and Content Knowledge) and how TPACK is reflected in practice, this study examined teacher educators' (TEs') conceptions of technology integration. Specifically, the main objective of the study was to investigate the factors influencing Nigerian teacher educators' technology integration using a self-completion survey administered to Nigerian teacher educators from three schools in the southern region of Nigeria. We utilized the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) approach for the data analysis. Two frameworks—TPACK and Second Information Technology in Education Study (SITES)— guided t…

InSitu ja aktiivinen oppiminen

The Nature Tour Mobile Learning Application. Implementing the Mobile Application in Finnish Early Childhood Education Settings

This paper explores the process and impact of the implementation of the Nature Tour mobile learning application in Finnish early childhood education settings. The interest is to explore whether the concept of Nature Tour mobile application meets the needs of early childhood education in field trips. The idea of the mobile application is to help recording and comparing nature observations as well as to arouse children’s interest in nature. The feasibility of the mobile application was evaluated through a theoretical framework, which includes the core aspects of mobile learning. The evaluation framework consists of two levels titled core level and medium level. Three of the core level aspects…